History
History of RochesterFulton County Formed County Seat Located |
In May 1837, the board voted to erect a county building of oak, 20 by 24 feet, of two floors. The contract was awarded to Ebenezer Ward, and on its completion November 6, 1837, he was paid $600. Extra expenses came to $147.41. The first jail was built at about the same time, and for about the same cost. It was two stories high, the second floor being reached by an outside stairway. Elijah Barnes built a brick jail in 1851 for $2,493.
It was replaced by a combination of jail and sheriff's residence at the cost of $19935.00 completed in January 1, 1894.
A second courthouse of brick, 44 feet by 60 feet in size, was built in 1846 for $6,000. It served for 50 years. The present courthouse of Bedford limestone and steel was built from September,19, 1895 (laying the corner stone) to August 1, 1896, by contractor J. E. Gibson of Logansport for $76,073. One of the specifications was that it was to contain a $350 clock in the tower at a distance of approximately 100 feet from the ground. It was made from the plans of A. W. Rush and Son of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Village becomes a Town
On June 11, 1853, the county commissioners began consideration of a petition to have the village of Rochester incorporated as a town. At an election July 25th that year the citizens voted 35 to 24 for incorporation. In the election of September 26, 1853, Sidney Keith was made first president of the Board of Town Trustees, and David Pershing was elected first town clerk.
Town Becomes City of Rochester
On Monday, October 11, 1909, citizens of the Town of Rochester voted 446 to 213 to reorganize as a city of the fifth class. The first city election was held on December 21, 1909, officials were chosen as follows: Mayor, Omar B. Smith; Clerk, Joseph Bibler; Treasurer, Roy Shanks; Councilmen, Perry M Shore, William P. Ross A.L. Denistion, Dr. J.L. Babcock and William Brinkman.
Lake Manitou Annexed
Lake Manitou was annexed into the City of Rochester on October 28, 1987 and the City Water and Sanitary Sewer service were extended to the annexed area.
Sesquicentennial
The City of Rochester celebrated it's Sesquicentennial (150 years) August 1st and 2nd, 2003
Jack Overmyer's Courthouse Address
Bob Peterson's Courthouse Address
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